Tis the season for pukwudgie

You step into the woods
You feel a mysterious presence....like a pair of eyes watching you.
You hear faint noises or feel a rush of cool air.
You smell a sweet, almost alluring smell of a flower

What could it be?

Well, it just might be a pukwudgie!

You may be unfamiliar with these creatures, but they are considered to be part of Native American lore that continues to this day in New England. Exactly what these creatures are - no one is certain. However, by most accounts, they are beige or grayish two to three foot tall creatures that inhabit the woods of northeastern United States. They look like tiny humans with longer noses and larger ears. Although enigmatic, they are thought to appear deep in the woods and summer is the best time to encounter them.

According to those who have seen them - and even modern encounters are said to occur - it is best to stray far from them. They have been known to chase people and trap them. Native American legends tell of them fighting against tribe members and kidnapping children. They are reported to be able to transform into other creatures, perform magic, and even conjure fire. They are considered dangerous and have been known to chase after humans and animals. They should be avoided and never stare straight at them in the eye.

And before you relegate these creatures to the realm of fantasy, consider the fact that people have reported encountered these creatures in many of the woods in New England, particularly Massachusetts. The Wampanoag were known to speak of these folk and there have been encounters traced to the Bridgewater Triangle region.